CTRP4

Up to now, 15 members have been identified in CTRP superfamily (CTRP1–CTRP15).

The C1Q/TNF-related protein (CTRP) family, usually contains a homotrimeric structure, which comprises the N-terminal signal peptide and the C-terminal C1q globular domain. It has been demonstrated that CTRPs play pivotal roles in the inflammation process. CTRP4 is a member of the CTRP family and contains two C1q globular domains. Moreover, evidence shows that the recombinant human CTRP4 (rhCTRP4) protein exerts satisfactory anti-inflammatory effects in experimental colitis models via the NF-κB pathway.

Findings suggest that CTRP4 is highly expressed in herpes simplex encephalitis and is closely related to the progression of HSE. Thus, CTRP4 may serve as a potential severity index for HSE and targeting CTRP4 might be a promising therapeutic strategy against HSE ¹⁾.

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Xu W, Zhou H, Li X, Wang L, Guo X, Yin L, Chang H, Wei Y, Li Q, Deng J, Zhou X, Yang H, Zhang X, Yi F, Ma W. C1Q/TNF-related protein 4 expression correlates with herpes simplex encephalitis progression. Ann Transl Med. 2019 Jun;7(11):235. doi: 10.21037/atm.2019.05.01. PubMed PMID: 31317005; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6603354.